Arizona Cardinals vs Minnesota Vikings: 5 stock risers

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - AUGUST 24: KeeSean Johnson #19 of the Arizona Cardinals gets tackled by Anthony Barr #55 of the Minnesota Vikings in the second quarter of pre-season play at U.S. Bank Stadium on August 24, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - AUGUST 24: KeeSean Johnson #19 of the Arizona Cardinals gets tackled by Anthony Barr #55 of the Minnesota Vikings in the second quarter of pre-season play at U.S. Bank Stadium on August 24, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)
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GLENDALE, ARIZONA – AUGUST 08: Wide receiver Damiere Byrd #14 of the Arizona Cardinals during a preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers at State Farm Stadium on August 08, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA – AUGUST 08: Wide receiver Damiere Byrd #14 of the Arizona Cardinals during a preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers at State Farm Stadium on August 08, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Damiere Byrd

If the Cardinals decide to keep a sixth or seventh receiver, Byrd certainly stated his case on Saturday.  He hauled in a beautiful 33-yard catch in the first quarter against the Vikings.  It also didn’t hurt quarterback Kyler Murray made a great pass.

Byrd is in competition it would seem with Pharoh Cooper.  Cooper did have a pass he should have caught but made a couple of grabs on Saturday.  The one place where Cooper should have had a leg up, special teams, also seemed to go in favor of Byrd against the Vikings.

Byrd had a punt return for 28-yards.  Cooper had three returns for a total of 10-yards on Saturday.  If the Cardinals come down to making a decision between those two players, and we don’t know if that will be the case, then Byrd clearly won that competition.

We don’t believe Byrd or Cooper will play on Thursday night against the Broncos, so that may have been the last chance to shine.  Tough decisions ahead based on how many receivers the Cardinals wish to keep.

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